Kenyan boxer Nick Mwangi is scheduled to battle it out for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia vacant lightweight title with India’s Sachin Dekwal on Sunday, September 12, at Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai.
Mwangi (9-3-1, 6KOs), who is based in Dubai, was a replacement for Pakistan’s Muhammad Bilal at the 11th hour who withdrew for reasons unknown.
“I thank God for giving me this golden chance to fight for my first title,” Mwangi stated during an interview.
“I’ve trained very well under my Filipino coach, Robert Etorma, I want this title badly. My Indian opponent should be ready for a KO. I have no time to waste with him," concluded Mwangi.
His Indian opponent, Dekwal (10-0-0, 6KOs), is widely considered India’s top lightweight boxer. Although his skills are yet to be put to test.
Mwangi who scored a sixth-round TKO in July over Ghana’s Daniel Ankornu, became the first East African pro boxer to win in the West African county.
In 2007, he joined Prisons Boxing Club and the following year was the runner-up in the novice championships.
However, after unsuccessful attempts to be recruited by Prisons, Police and Kenya Defense Forces, Mwangi moved to Dubai in 2012 joining Round 10 Boxing Club where he turned pro in 2013 and made his debut in the bare-chested game in 2015.
The show which starts at 6 in the evening will be Mwangi’s stiffest test to date.